ZPC Kariba win to go top

A goal in each half by Norest Mkwezaramba and Obey Mwerahari were enough to help ZPC Kariba bounce back to winning ways and shoot to the top of the log table against Bantu Rovers in a Castle Lager premiership encounter at Gwanzura yesterday.

It was not a vintage performance however by Saul Chaminuka’s charges who were smarting from a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Chapungu in their previous fixture.

After a dull start with both teams failing to create meaningful chances, midfielder Mukwezaramba won the ball just outside the penalty box, aimed for goal and his shot took a fortuitous deflection off Nqobizitha Masuku to give ZPC a half time lead.

Bantu Rovers, who had seen the better of the exchanges in the first half, continued to dominate play after the break but failed to test ZPC goalkeeper Tendai Hove.

Once again against the run of play, Mwerahari took advantage of hesitant defending from the Bantu Rovers defence as he ghosted in to slot the ball beyond the reach of Takunda Mutangi.

From there it was all Bantu Rovers as they piled on the pressure and Hove had to save a Obadiah Tarumbwa pile driver late on as ZPC hung on for a priceless win.

ZPC Kariba coach Chaminuka was happy with the result but not the performance.

“We are happy we have won but we did not play the way we usually do. I think the two consecutive defeats in the league and Cup affected the players,” he said.

Methembe Ndhlovu, the Bantu Rovers coach blamed lack of confidence on the part of his players.

“I think our players suffer from lack of confidence; they play well and most times end up losing but now I think we are outsiders. To avoid relegation we are standing outside looking in.”